Shooting boards
Shooting boards
Got to make myself a new shooting board.
Curently its just a flat lump of wood on a flat lump of wood.
Anyone got some nice ones, that I can pinch some ideas from, got some apprentices that find it hard to cut end grain on a basic unit, so Im looking at making them a ramped version or similiar
Steve
Curently its just a flat lump of wood on a flat lump of wood.
Anyone got some nice ones, that I can pinch some ideas from, got some apprentices that find it hard to cut end grain on a basic unit, so Im looking at making them a ramped version or similiar
Steve
Re: Shooting boards
I have read about a ramped shooting board , That's the first one I've seen .
What is the benefit of the ramp ? The first thing I can think of is the sharpness of the blade lasts longer, is that it ?
Or the slope helps hold the position of the timber.
One of my favorite ones I got from a book on veneering and is used for shooting the veneers so they can be taped and pressed down as one. The stop has a rebate in it for the end of a stick to be held in place. the stick has a curve in it like a leaf spring, the veneers are placed with a few mm over hang and the stick is placed in the stop and pressed down . It holds the veneers down flat along the whole length with the left hand holding it down while the right hand planes. It could possibly be good for use with tops and backs.
What is the benefit of the ramp ? The first thing I can think of is the sharpness of the blade lasts longer, is that it ?
Or the slope helps hold the position of the timber.
One of my favorite ones I got from a book on veneering and is used for shooting the veneers so they can be taped and pressed down as one. The stop has a rebate in it for the end of a stick to be held in place. the stick has a curve in it like a leaf spring, the veneers are placed with a few mm over hang and the stick is placed in the stop and pressed down . It holds the veneers down flat along the whole length with the left hand holding it down while the right hand planes. It could possibly be good for use with tops and backs.
- charangohabsburg
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1818
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 1:25 am
- Location: Switzerland
Re: Shooting boards
Hi Rob,
I can't say that I have a lot of experience, but i never had a problem with holding down the wood when using the shooting board. But yes, with a ramped shooting board you'll use almost the whole blade width. Again, I don't use a shooting board that much that this would be an issue for me (only one top and back at a time), so my shooting board is still not ramped and thus, when not in use eats up less precious space than a ramped one.
Cheers,
I can't say that I have a lot of experience, but i never had a problem with holding down the wood when using the shooting board. But yes, with a ramped shooting board you'll use almost the whole blade width. Again, I don't use a shooting board that much that this would be an issue for me (only one top and back at a time), so my shooting board is still not ramped and thus, when not in use eats up less precious space than a ramped one.
Cheers,
Markus
To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.
To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.
Re: Shooting boards
I know Michael had shown some at one time or another. I'm sure he still has pictures.
Re: Shooting boards
That's right Michael Connor makes superb woodworkers benches and a range of beautiful shooting boards and other accessories to go with them. Really like the 45 degree jobie
http://michealconnorwoodwork.com.au/wor ... nches.html
Cheers
Kim

http://michealconnorwoodwork.com.au/wor ... nches.html
Cheers
Kim
-
- Beefwood
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:47 am
- Location: Charlotte
Re: Shooting boards
Derek Cohen has a great Web page with multiple versions of Shooting Boards and Tips here:
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/index.html
Adding the ability to micro-adjust the fence and the addition of a running fence (large dado for the plane to ride) matched to your Handplane side are excellent advice if you want to spend a little time.
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/index.html
Adding the ability to micro-adjust the fence and the addition of a running fence (large dado for the plane to ride) matched to your Handplane side are excellent advice if you want to spend a little time.
Re: Shooting boards
I rather like the aprons made by Michael's Mum.Kim wrote:That's right Michael Connor makes superb woodworkers benches and a range of beautiful shooting boards and other accessories to go with them. Really like the 45 degree jobie![]()
http://michealconnorwoodwork.com.au/wor ... nches.html
Cheers
Kim
Martin
Re: Shooting boards
Thanks guys.
My straight board needs replacing and I know some of the guys in my shop struggle, Ive read that the angled board use's the full blade and give's a better finish, hence the put it out there question.
Was hoping to get some plan's and then just dump them into the cnc to do it for me.
, yes Im lazy...
My straight board needs replacing and I know some of the guys in my shop struggle, Ive read that the angled board use's the full blade and give's a better finish, hence the put it out there question.
Was hoping to get some plan's and then just dump them into the cnc to do it for me.

- charangohabsburg
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1818
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 1:25 am
- Location: Switzerland
Re: Shooting boards
CNCing shooting boards?
Oh yes, why not if you have CNC.

Oh yes, why not if you have CNC.
Markus
To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.
To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.
Re: Shooting boards
I can tell you now, cnc is awesome but it does not have the skills a human eye / hand and a shooting board has.
The accuracy of these combined can give perfection...
The accuracy of these combined can give perfection...
Re: Shooting boards
Hi,
I've just finished making a shooting board that is 2 months too late for Steve, but maybe still of interest. I only had plywood and a few brush box floorboards handy, so that's what I used. The photo shows the shooting board in use on a pair of Shane Neifers "Low Grade Lutz" top halves (21cm x 56cm).
Thanks,
GregL.
I've just finished making a shooting board that is 2 months too late for Steve, but maybe still of interest. I only had plywood and a few brush box floorboards handy, so that's what I used. The photo shows the shooting board in use on a pair of Shane Neifers "Low Grade Lutz" top halves (21cm x 56cm).
Thanks,
GregL.
Last edited by kiwigeo on Fri Jun 08, 2012 9:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Photo added by moderator
Reason: Photo added by moderator
- Tod Gilding
- Blackwood
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- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:32 pm
- Location: South West Rocks NSW
Re: Shooting boards
Tod
Music is everyone's posession. It's only publishers who think that people own it.
John Lennon
Music is everyone's posession. It's only publishers who think that people own it.
John Lennon
Re: Shooting boards
Hi Tod,
Thanks for that. I don't see the "upload picture" button indicated in that tute, I think it's because I haven't posted enough here.
Martin (kiwigeo) has offered to post the photo for me.
Thanks,
Greg.
Thanks for that. I don't see the "upload picture" button indicated in that tute, I think it's because I haven't posted enough here.
Martin (kiwigeo) has offered to post the photo for me.
Thanks,
Greg.
- charangohabsburg
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1818
- Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 1:25 am
- Location: Switzerland
Re: Shooting boards
Hi Greg,
Here I have added an updated screen shot which should explain how to upload a picture with the current forum software version.
Here I have added an updated screen shot which should explain how to upload a picture with the current forum software version.
Markus
To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.
To be stupid is like to be dead. Oneself will not be aware of it.
It's only the others who suffer.
Re: Shooting boards
Nice to see a cameo from the HNT as well.
Steve
Steve
Re: Shooting boards
Thanks Markus. Now I know how to upload pictures!
Thanks Steve. I saved up my pennies and finally got that HNT Gordon Trying plane (in beautiful ringed gidgee) - it works well on the shooting board.
GregL.
Thanks Steve. I saved up my pennies and finally got that HNT Gordon Trying plane (in beautiful ringed gidgee) - it works well on the shooting board.
GregL.
- ozziebluesman
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1550
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:12 am
- Location: Townsville
- Contact:
Re: Shooting boards
G'day Steve,
I made my shooting board a bit longer so it would accomidate a weissenborn top or back and an archtop plate as can be seen in the picture. I was lucky enough to buy my HNT plane here in Townsville when the local Jet agent was having a clearing sale. He sent out an email of what was on sale and soon as I spotted the Trying plane I was at his doorstep on sale morning. I bought a HNT block plane at the same time and both where almost half price.
Both mine are made from Cooktown Ironwood.

Cheers
Alan
I made my shooting board a bit longer so it would accomidate a weissenborn top or back and an archtop plate as can be seen in the picture. I was lucky enough to buy my HNT plane here in Townsville when the local Jet agent was having a clearing sale. He sent out an email of what was on sale and soon as I spotted the Trying plane I was at his doorstep on sale morning. I bought a HNT block plane at the same time and both where almost half price.


Cheers
Alan
"Play to express, not to impress"
Alan Hamley
http://www.hamleyfineguitars.com/
Alan Hamley
http://www.hamleyfineguitars.com/
Re: Shooting boards
Did you stop by Terry's and get one off the shelf Greg? Maybe get him to sign it?GregL wrote:Thanks Markus. Now I know how to upload pictures!
Thanks Steve. I saved up my pennies and finally got that HNT Gordon Trying plane (in beautiful ringed gidgee) - it works well on the shooting board.
GregL.
Re: Shooting boards
Hi Allen,
Yes I did get it direct off Terrys shelf! I'm only 15 minutes from his workshop.
GregL.
Yes I did get it direct off Terrys shelf! I'm only 15 minutes from his workshop.
GregL.
Re: Shooting boards
Hi Alan,
Here is a shooting board tip for your HNT try plane. Put the handle back in loosely with a rubber band wrapped around it to hold it just clear of the bottom of the plane. Gives you a nice grip point.
Don't forget the rubber band though because if you back up past the end of the shooting board the handle will drop down and act as an emergency brake.Very embarrasing if demonstrating.
Here is a shooting board tip for your HNT try plane. Put the handle back in loosely with a rubber band wrapped around it to hold it just clear of the bottom of the plane. Gives you a nice grip point.
Don't forget the rubber band though because if you back up past the end of the shooting board the handle will drop down and act as an emergency brake.Very embarrasing if demonstrating.
Cheers from Micheal.
Remember the "5P Rule".
Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Remember the "5P Rule".
Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
- ozziebluesman
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1550
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:12 am
- Location: Townsville
- Contact:
Re: Shooting boards
G'day Micheal,
Thanks for the tip on the handle.
Should be seeing you in July at the Cairns Ukulele Fest.
Cheers
Alan
Thanks for the tip on the handle.
Should be seeing you in July at the Cairns Ukulele Fest.
Cheers
Alan
"Play to express, not to impress"
Alan Hamley
http://www.hamleyfineguitars.com/
Alan Hamley
http://www.hamleyfineguitars.com/
Re: Shooting boards
Be great to catch up again Alan.
Cheers from Micheal.
Remember the "5P Rule".
Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Remember the "5P Rule".
Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
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